Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-05-20
ASKING A SUSPENspON.
The uchsMOOted Fourth Clause Of
the COmmerce Act.
TIE INTERSTATE COMMISSIONERS GIVE HEARING TO
THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD.

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THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD
The Interstate Commerce Commission to-day
granted hearing TO the Southern Pacific Rail-
road Company upon its application for a perma-
nent suspension OF the fourth section OF the inter-
state act Mr.. E J. Stubs, general traffic mana
ger OF the Southern Pacific, went into a detailed
explanation OF the transportation arrangements
OF the road, the competition 1t meets and the ne
cesSty OF It's making low rates in order to meet
competition with water lines He said that I'm
the matter OF through rates between New York
and other eastern points and Pacific coast points
me question is what can the railroad get in COM
potion with the clippers, which make the
lowest rates. He said these rates are
governed by the clipper rates. He added that the
points east OF Sacramento. to make raie thar az
would enable those points to get freight direct
from the East without the necessity OF shipping
to the western terminus and then reshipping back
TO the local point. That rate should be less than
the cost OF shipping through TO the western ter
n and then reshipplng back. He said that for
These rates were kept up until the interstate law
went Into operation.
Several OF The Commissioners wanted to know
why the law operated to prevent such direct rates
TO intermediate points.
Mr. Stubbs replied that the law put an end to
an the then existing tariffs and unsettled every
Ihlng since IL went into operation the railroad
men had been consulting and endeavor1ng to reach
some basis OF arrangement.
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Stubbs numerous questions, going into minute de-
tallss Their line OF questions seemed to Indicate
1nat tney could not see any necessity for the per-
manent suspension OF the fourth section.
TRADE WITH HAMILTON, CANADA, NOT AFFECTED
The State Department has received and trans
mltted to the Interstate Commerce Commission for
Its information, letter from Albert Roberts, the
United State consul at Hamilton, Ont relative to
tne enects OF the Interstate commerce law upon
trade with that port. Mr.. Roberts says: al have
the honor to inform you that while the enactment
by Congress OF the Interstate commerce law has
mao tendency TO disturb TO some extent the
faculties OF rail transportation between this port
and interior points In the United states because
OF the inability OF the connecting Canadian lines
10 quote through rates, the business of this con-
sulate records no material decline In consequence
thereof up to the present time.
WANT THE Law ENFORCED.
The Commission has received a series OF resolu-
tions adopted by the Dunlap Grange, No. eIe,
Peoria County, ILL.,, favOrng the enforcement OF all
an impartial way, not with a studied intent TO
make them oppressive and odiOus TO the people
and 50 have them repealed"
"A petition from the committee appointed by the
Merchants Exchange OF the city OF Charleston. s
c., has been received by the Commission favorfnC
the enforcement OF section OF the law. The
Charleston Exchange has also petitioned the Com
mission to enforce all the provisions OF the
law.
AT the instance Of the attorney for the Denver
ana hl0 Grande Railroad Co. the Interstate Com
merce Commission enlarged the suspension order
In the case OF the Union Pacific and Southern
Pacific Railroads so as TO include the Denver and
Rlo GraRde Co. In its operations.
HALF-FARE RATES TO OLD SOLDIERS
In reply to Gen. Blacks letter In regard to the
granting OF halffare rates to inmates OF soldiers
homes, the Interstate Commission state that in
the absence OF formal case they can do nothing
They suggest that decision as to the granting OF
such rates be obtained from the railroads and on
that decision the Commission could give an
opinion.
A communication from Western and Southwest
ern water lines has been received by the Commits
SION denying the statement or the Southern rail-
road companies that the water transportation
companies fixed freight rates, and urging the Com
mission TO reScfnd Its order Sspending the fourth
section OF the Interstate law.
In his conference with the Interstate Commits
sion yesterday, Mr.. Albert Fink the trunk line
pool commissioners, advised permanent suspension
III the shOrt-haul clause wherever necessary TO
meet competition.